Lack Of Midfield Depth And More – 3 Issues Newcastle United Must Address In The January Window

Headed into the new year, Newcastle regained their position on top of the Championship table with just a single point separating them from 2nd placed Brighton, but this is as a result of Brighton having had their own clash with Cardiff City postponed due to heavy fog last Friday.

But they soon returned to 2nd position after losing their first game of 2017 against Blackburn Rovers on Monday. Life in the division has had its ups and downs for Rafa Benitez and his men, with the Toons having had as much as 7 defeats in 25 games, while they have been held to a draw on one occasion.

The winter transfer window presents the club the opportunity to add needed and required depth to its squad, as the battle to earn automatic and instant promotion back to the English Premier League looks much harder than anyone would have thought for Newcastle.

With the January window now opened, here are 3 issues Newcastle must promptly address during this period in order to make the most of their 2nd half of the season.

Defensive shortcomings

Despite conceding just 20 goals, Newcastle have a not-too-solid defence and it’s an issue Benitez must find a way to address in the winter transfer window.

The Magpies have lost 7 games this term and often times, it’s their backline that has fallen apart despite boasting of hands down the best goalie in the Championship. Without Darlow, things would have been much worse and to make life easier for him, the goal custodian needs better people in front of him.

Right-back seems the only weak link in their defence, and it why Benitez hasn’t been able to decide between which of Anita or Yedlin is his permanent first choice as both full-backs have been inconsistent.

Newcastle could do with a better right-back.

Lack of midfield depth

Until his 5-match ban, Jonjo Shelvey had only missed one game through suspension and has played every other. Without him against Sheffield Wednesday on boxing day, Newcastle’s midfield capitulated.

Backup option Colback hasn’t been very impressive in his duties, while Hayden isn’t able to produce anything near a 5-star performance without Jonjo’s help.

Newcastle’s overdependence on the former Swansea star in the middle of the pack will only put them into further troubles as the campaign gets stiffer, and the only way out would be to find another midfield of excellent qualities like him in order to provide depth in that department.

Another quality striker

Dwight Gayle has definitely been brilliant, and currently tops the goalscoring charts with 19 goals.

The former Crystal Palace striker has been responsible for 37% of all Newcastle’s goals, with the 2nd highest goalscorer in the club being Yoan Gouffran – who has scored 4 goals.

Backup strikers Aleksandar Mitrovic, and Ayoze Perez have 3 each despite seeing a sizeable amount of playing time. Gayle isn’t always scoring even though he tries to, and none of the substitute centre forwards turns up just when they are needed most.

Newcastle can’t always depend on Gayle for the goals, and a quality and proven goalscorer suiting the team’s style of play must be acquired this winter in order to take the pressure and heavy work load off the English talisman.